dark shadows
"I have come to the world as its Light, to keep anyone who believes in Me from remaining in the dark." —John 12:46
Have you come out of the darkness of the tomb into the light of the resurrection this Easter season? Isn't that what Easter is all about? For example, John Mark moved from darkness into light. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on the relief mission for starving Jerusalem (Acts 12:25). He also accompanied them on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:5). The first encounter on that first journey was traumatic. Elymas "the Magician" was struck blind and Sergius Paulus the governor was converted to Jesus (Acts 13:11-12). Possibly this was too much for Mark so he abandoned ship and quit his mission (Acts 13:13). He was in the darkness of fear and unfaithfulness.
Mark eventually returned to missionary work as Barnabas' partner. He later put together the earliest Gospel. In his Gospel, he highlights Jesus' healings of the blind (Mk 8:22; 10:46). The very circumstance that may have traumatized him is now lifted up to the glory of God. Mark is an Easter person out of the dark tomb of fear into the risen light.
Prayer: Jesus, I'm afraid of circumstances. Bring me out of that tomb.
Promise: "Whoever rejects Me and does not accept My words already has his judge, namely, the Word I have spoken — it is that which will condemn him on the last day." —Jn 12:48
Praise: Bl. Damien ministered to the isolated leper colony of Molokai to such an extent that he caught the disease and died as one of them. "There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends" (Jn 15:13).
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our book, Living in Reality, or our four tape audio series starting with AV 38-1 or two tape video series starting with V-38.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 27, 2005
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.